It is hardly surprising that on the beautiful island of Menorca you can find a number of churches, cathedrals and religious spots. Although many of the churches that you will see dotted around are small, they play an extremely important role in the lives of the locals. If you have accommodation in Menorca, there are a few spots that you simply can’t miss.

Ciutadella Cathedral

This mighty building is located in the island town of Ciutadella, and is arguably one of the most impressive pieces of architecture on the island. Originally, the cathedral was built on the site of an ancient mosque, however was badly damaged in the 16th century by a fire, so had to be remodelled. The building is filled with so much detail, be it the stone carvings or the Neo-Gothic canopy, the outcome is very impressive.

Santa Clara Church

A small group of nuns still live in this historical attraction in Ciutadella. The church has been destroyed on several occasions since it’s building, such as in 1558 in the Turkish raid, or during the Spanish Civil War. After being rebuilt, it still contains much of its former splendour, including its intricate wooden carvings, and is worth a trip out from your Menorca vacation villa.

Sant Francesc Church

This church is located in the island’s capital of Mahon. It is a very appealing building thanks to its white walls and Baroque facade. The interior of the church is just as attractive as the exterior thanks to detailed decoration and large gothic alter. The church can easily been seen as part of a tour of the city, and won’t take long to explore.

Sant Antoni Church

This is a very popular location for many of the island’s cultural events and it is a popular place of worship. It is worth seeing this church as part of a larger tour of the island from your Menorca villa.

Standing at 357 metres tall, the mountain of El Toro is Menorca’s highest point and can be seen from miles around. Regardless of the town in which your Menorca vacation rental is located, you are likely to be able to spot its towering silhouette somewhere on the horizon.

The view from the top brings tourists and locals alike to its summit. From the top, the whole island unfolds before your eyes, and if the weather is very clear, you may even be able to see the Tramuntana mountain range of Mallorca.

Many locals claim that the mountain is the spiritual centre of the island, and it has been a place of
pilgrimage since the 13th century. They also claim that it earned its name from a bull (el toro) that led a group of monks to a statue of the Virgin Mary, which was in the rock face. Others claim that the name’s origin stems from the time the Moors inhabited the island, coming from the Arabic ‘al tor’ which means mountain.

Although a relatively small mountain, a range of buildings cluster at its peak. In the 15th century, a
watchtower was constructed there, with a defence tower later added. There are also the remains of a monastery that was destroyed during the Spanish Civil War, a convent, and an army station. Today,
masts, transmitters, and satellites that are used by the people of Menorca.

The easiest way by far to reach the mountain’s summit is by car, and the journey
itself is quite an adventure! If you don’t have a hired car, another option is requesting a taxi to
pick you up from your villa in Menorca, and then taking the winding roads down by foot. There are also organised excursions that will take you up the mountain as part of the trip.